Mary Elizabeth Hogan Cagle, 80, of Cleveland, Tennessee, died on Tuesday, July 28, 2016.
She was born the oldest girl of the eight children of Martha and Jesse Hogan on July 16, 1936 in Hamilton County, TN. She worked hard even in childhood, taking care of siblings and earning money for the family by picking cotton and berries. She always emphasized that while they lived in poverty, the important thing was that the family stayed together; she was close with her siblings until her death. Mary was the first female bus driver for Hamilton County. She started at the young age of nineteen, and worked for 42 years carrying many generations of children to school. She was strict but caring on her bus, always making sure that the poorer children had money on field trips. Even the “troublemakers” on her bus would have a kind word for her in later years, thanking her for keeping them in line. Her family was always at the center of her life. She would do anything and give freely of herself to her siblings, their children, and mostly to her son. She valued education, and instilled this value in her son, Dr. Randy Cagle, whom she helped obtain a Ph.D. Mary celebrated her 80th birthday with family on July 16 and died peacefully in her home, surrounded by family. Faith was important to Mary. She was a longtime member of Bartlebaugh Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Martha Hogan; her husband, Harry Cagle; her brothers Joe, Johnny, and Bobby; and her nephew Danny.
She is survived by her son Dr. Randy Cagle and his wife Susan Cagle; granddaughter Miranda; brothers Benny Hogan, Bud (Sherry) Hogan; sisters Betty Pritchard and Judy (Richard) Coleman; and countless nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life service will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 29, at Barlebaugh Baptist Church located at 6129 Champion Road Chattanooga, TN 37416.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Bartlebaugh Baptist Church or to your favorite charity.
Companion Funeral Home and the Cody family are honored to assist the Cagle family with her arrangements.